Rox: Sheryl Underwood joining The Juice

The city is abuzz with what the media already knows; comedian Sheryl Underwood is coming to Toledo as a radio personality on The Juice 107.3FM (WJUC).

I was as shocked as you are, but excited all the same, mainly because it is the perfect opportunity for the radio station, which recently changed its format to Brand New and Classic Hip-Hop and R&B. WJUC’s change in format has revitalized and increased listenership since its official change on Jan. 1.

Like her comedy, Underwood is no nonsense, and when she started petitioning WJUC’s owner W. Charles Welch for a show two years ago, it was assumed she would resume her petition upon her return to Toledo. Underwood is currently a co-host on “The Talk” airing weekdays on CBS and is no stranger to radio as she has worked on the “Tom Joyner Morning Show,” “The Sheryl Underwood Show” on Jamie Foxx’s “The Foxxhole” and a contributor on “The Steve Harvey Morning Show” airing weekdays 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on The Juice.

“I am excited and proud to be working in Toledo, especially at this station. I feel like I’ve got new friends and a new family. I’m looking forward to being on the radio again. I’ve wanted to do this for a while. I believe that there is room on the radio for diverse voices,” Underwood said in a news release. Underwood immediately informed her fans during her July shows at the Funny Bone in Perrysburg that there would be a big announcement. Comedian Kyle Erby and The Juice’s own Charlie Mack and Tisha Lee will join the show as co-hosts.

Martini Rox: What did it take to make this show happen?

Charlie Mack: The Juice first had a discussion with Sheryl Underwood about doing a radio show during a visit a few years ago. Unfortunately for us, and fortunately for Sheryl, a few days after that first meeting Sheryl got the call about joining the panel of ladies on “The Talk.” When she came back to our radio station recently, we had a very long meeting about really doing the show and even about how she wants to use it as a vehicle to help others across the country. Our staff at The Juice is made up of people who know radio and what it takes to produce a quality program with Sheryl.

Rox: What role will you play on the show?

Tisha Lee: I will be co-host with Sheryl Underwood and co-producing the show. I am so honored to work with Sheryl Underwood. I admired her the first time I met her. She is very genuine, a beautiful person inside and out. It’s going to be great to have Sheryl in our community, in touch with our listeners; she is by far one of the funniest and very educated and I believe we will all learn a lot from her.

This is going to be an exciting ride, and all of the key players are ready to work hard to take this show to the top. I came to The Juice in 2005 for morning radio, then in 2007 my own midday show. Now, beginning Aug. 2 I will be moving to 3-7 p.m. to co-host “Sheryl Underwood in the Afternoon,” this is certainly the biggest move in my career. I have been planning for this moment my entire radio career. I believe this is the start of something even greater, it still seems surreal.

Rox: What does “Sheryl Underwood in the Afternoon” mean for WJUC?

Mack: For Sheryl Underwood to join the line-up at The Juice means a huge step in the right direction. We already have what I believe to be the best on-air personalities and DJ’s in the market and now we have added another quality show to complement what we are already doing. I believe that this will be an opportunity for others to take a listen to our station and fall in love with what we are doing.

“Sheryl Underwood in the Afternoon,” begins airing Aug. 2 on The Juice from 3-7 p.m. daily.